Salisbury Cathedral from the Meadows

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Salisbury Cathedral from the Meadows

John Constable, 1829

Oil on canvas

151.8 × 189.9 cm

National Gallery, London

Salisbury Cathedral from the Meadows was painted by John Constable in 1829, one year after his wife’s death. He later added nine lines from “The Seasons” by 18th Century poet James Thomson that reveal the painting's meaning: That the rainbow is a symbol of hope after a storm that follows on the death of the young Amelia in the arms of her lover Celadon.

This painting was a personal statement of his turbulent emotions and his changing states of mind. Possible political meanings have been attributed to it, one of which being the clash of industrialization and nature represented through the clash of elements.

Some symbolism in this painting includes:

• Grave marker: symbol of death
• Ash tree: symbol of life
• Church: symbol of faith and resurrection
• Rainbow: symbol of renewed optimism